By Angela Ufheil – Associate Editor, Denver Business Journal

Nov. 17, 2023
Denver Business Journal 

Tammy Bellofatto
Organization: Bayaud Enterprises
Title: Executive Director
Industry: Nonprofit
Years in role: 4
Headquarters: Denver
Hometown: Long Island, NY
Current Neighborhood:  Lakewood

Tell us about your organization:  Bayaud assists people with disabilities and other hurdles to employment and to achieve self-sufficiency. This is accomplished through taining, supported employment and benefits acquisition.

What’a big change you’ve made in the last year?  Since starting at Bayaud in 2019, our DayWorks program has expanded operations to several cities and counties across the metro area. This program partners with cities ad counties to provide adults experiencing homelessness with paid transitional work experience, job training and permanent job placement, case management and other essential services. Today, Bayaud DayWorks program operate in Denver, in the city of Lakewood and at the Denver International Airport in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Corrections assisting adults exiting the justice system. 

What motivates you?  I am motivated by seeing the people we serve become self-sufficient and reintegrated in the mainstream of the community.

Big lesson:  The biggest lesson is to avoid becoming an organization’s CEO in the 10 weeks before the start of a worldwide pandemic.

Behind the scenes of a difficult decision:  One of the most difficult decisions I have had to make is to consider and then execute lay-offs or enforcing retirements.  Fortunately, I had the cooperation and support of the organization’s leadership team. 

Big trend:  The next big trend in this industry is the reintegration of people experiencing homelessness into the mainstream of the community.  Bayaud stay ahead of the curve by evolving our pgoram and service design and implementation to respond to the changing needs of the community we serve.

Advice for future leaders:  Keep learning, listening and paying attention to the needs of those you serve. Find a mentor who is in a similar role to guide you to reach your goal.

How do you give back?  By collaborating with other organizations, including nonprofits, to leverage services for as many people in the community as possible.

Who inspires you and why?  I have been inspired by John Parvensky, the former CEO of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. John treats everyone with the same level of dignity regardless of whether they are another CEO or someone living on the streets. He allowed me to be creative in program design and supported my efforts when seeking to move to a CEO position.

Secret talent: Baking holiday cookies and chocolates (for my grandchildren.)

What else would you like our readers to know?  I would like readers to know that I will keep pivoting to devise new programs and services that match Bayaud’s mission to continue to respond to our constituents’ needs and that keeps Bayaud thriving organizationally.

Oct 4, 2023

The Denver area is filled with leaders going above and beyond to ensure the success of their businesses — and their communities.

Earlier this week, Denver Business Journal revealed two groups of winners in its 2023 Most Admired CEO awards program.

Now, we are excited to share the full lineup of 21 top-ranking execs whose vision is shaping their organizations, sectors and the community at large.

DBJ is also honoring one impressive longtime leader in the Denver area with the Pinnacle Award, the top honor in our Most Admired CEO awards program. Pinnacle winners are executives whose lifetime of leadership and achievement has driven change in both their organizations and the industry in which they work.

The winner of the Pinnacle Award this year is George Sparks, the president and CEO of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

Sparks, a passionate advocate for science and education, has been at the helm of the DMNS since November 2004. Read more about his accomplishments here.

The winners of the 2023 Most Admired CEO awards will be celebrated at a dinner hosted at the Ritz Carlton on Nov. 16. Tickets for the black tie-optional event, which has sold out in years past, can be purchased here.

All honorees, including the Pinnacle winner, will share their insights in a special section of DBJ’s Nov. 17 print edition.